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VIEWS FROM A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
#42 - SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA

Size: 5" x 3"
Copyrighted: 1891
Lithographer: Joseph P. Knapp

San Jose, Costa Rica - Cathedral
Illustrations: Cathedral at San Jose; A Guide; A San Jose Girl; View of San Jose; Street Scene

Reverse - Text
Left section: GRIND YOUR COFFEE AT HOME
Right section:
SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA.
The Atlantic coast in Central America is generally low, and characterized by numerous lagoons which have been formed by the prevailing currents opposite the river mouths, the chief break in its extent being the great Lagoon or Gulf of Chiriqui; the Pacific coast rising higher, is marked by the two large peninsulas which enclose the Gulfs of Nicoya and Dulce. The Atlantic slope is covered with dense impenetrable forests; the Pacific slope, on the other hand, has wide savannahs, bordered by forests, and is much more accessible. In the north a great volcanic range extends from northwest to southeast from between the Nicaragua Lake and the Pacific coast to the centre of Costa Rica, separating the narrow Pacific descent from the border slope to the Atlantic. The form of the southern half of Costa Rica is determined by the great range, some of whose peaks are over 10,000 feet high. The surface of the country is marked by mountains, plateaus, and valleys. The broad table lands of San José and Cartago lie between the northern and southern masses, having an elevation of over 3,000 feet above sea level, and being the most important and almost the only cultivated region of the country. San José is about 15 miles northwest of Cartago, (the ancient Capital,) with which it is connected by a railway, built in 1884. Since 1870 the Cathedral has been rebuilt, and handsome market places, with offices for the municipality erected, and several of the streets macadamized. The city has a National Bank, and a University to which a medical school and museum are attached. As a city it dates from the latter half of the eighteenth century. It became the capital after the destruction of Cartago by earthquake in 1841. In this plateau, the northeast trade wind prevails from October to April, bringing dry weather; during the other half of the year, the southwest monsoon blowing from the Pacific brings almost daily rain, except a remarkable fortnight of dry weather in June, called the "Veranillo de San Juan." The country is exceedingly fertile, especially in valuable timber trees and useful dyewoods.
Population. 18,000.